Dodgers Notebook: Team discusses possibility of acquiring Japanese star pitcher Tanaka with agent

The Dodgers have had preliminary discussions with the agent for Masahiro Tanaka, general manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday.

In all likelihood, so has every team that submitted the posting fee necessary to negotiate with the free-agent pitcher from Japan. The maximum bid was lowered to $20 million in December by Major League Baseball and Nippon Pro Baseball, and Tanaka was posted two weeks ago by the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

The 25-year-old right-hander is considered the best pitcher on the market. He went 24-0 with a 1.27 earned-run average in 27 starts last season for the Golden Eagles, who won the NPB championship in November.

“They’re in a feeling-out process, trying to learn a lot about different cities, different markets, different teams, how teams are constructed,” Colletti said. “It’s a big decision for the player, too. We’ve had those types of conversations. We’ll continue and we’ll see where it goes.”

Tanaka is expected to command a multi-year contract. His deadline to sign is Jan. 24.

Alexander Guerrero delayed

The Dodgers invited 15 prospects to participate in a five-day development camp at Dodger Stadium that concludes today. Not among them was Alexander Guerrero, a rookie whom the front office envisions as their second baseman of the future.

That’s because Guerrero still doesn’t have a visa that will allow him to enter the United States.

“Hopefully, he’ll be able to get to the States soon and get to Glendale (Arizona) soon,” Colletti said.

Guerrero established residency in Haiti after defecting from Cuba last year. The Dodgers signed him to a four-year, $28-million contract in November. He is recovering from a hamstring injury that limited his playing time in the Dominican Winter League.

Notable

Colletti said he’s still looking for an infielder to fill a part-time starter’s role. “There’s still some interesting guys on the market,” he said. “We’ll see where the dynamics are for that.” ... The Dodgers have spoken with the agents for pitcher Clayton Kershaw and shortstop Hanley Ramirez about possible contract extensions, Colletti said. Both are set to become free agents at the end of the 2014 season. ... Second baseman Miguel Rojas will head to Glendale, Ariz., at the conclusion of the development camp, Colletti said. Rojas, who spent most of last season at Double-A Chattanooga, isn’t on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster but will get a long look at second base in spring training. ... Dee Gordon, who is currently playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, will not report to Glendale early. ... Manager Don Mattingly said he was unable to speak to players at the development camp because snow in Indiana grounded his flight.